[Ramrod]

THE cost of British democracy has risen by 80 per cent since Labour came to power in 1997 and stands at £1.3 billion a year

Just under half the extra outlay can be put down to the running costs of the elected institutions set up by Labour since 1997 †� the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Greater London Authority and the London Mayor

There has also been a 75 per cent rise in MPsââ‚Âà ‚¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢ salaries and allowances, a 40 per cent rise in the cost of House of Commons facilities and administration, and a 71 per cent rise in local government representation and management costs

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